formality

形式的な手続き

結果が決まっていても、規則や慣習により行う必要があること。

やさしい英語で： Something you must do because a rule or custom requires it, even when the result is already certain.

• The final interview is a formality.
• We completed the formalities before collecting the keys.
• Is this vote a formality, or could the plan still fail?

類義語： procedure

よく使う表現： just a formality, complete a formality, legal formality

堅苦しさ、形式ばること

気楽に親しく接するより、丁寧な礼儀や正式な決まりを重んじること。

やさしい英語で： The use of careful, polite behavior and official rules rather than a relaxed, friendly style.

• The meeting had little formality.
• She disliked the formality of official dinners.
• His speech brought a touch of formality to the celebration.

類義語： ceremony

反対語： informality

よく使う表現： great formality, formality of something, without formality, degree of formality

形だけの儀式、形式だけの行為

実際の効果や意味がないのに、習慣や慣例で行うこと。

やさしい英語で： An action done out of habit or custom that has no real effect or importance.

• Their greeting was an empty formality.
• The annual ceremony had become a meaningless formality.
• She wanted a real apology, not a formality.

類義語： empty ritual, empty gesture

よく使う表現： mere formality, empty formality, meaningless formality